Hi tor animal shelter news

Hi Tor board disputes allegations that animal shelter was left in deplorable condition Sep 26,pm Updated on Sep 27, The Hi Tor Board Of Directors is hitting back against allegations that they left the animal shelter in deplorable conditions. The New York State Animal Protection Federation toured the facility back in May and found that quote "Hi Tor, in its entirety, is an unacceptable shelter to house hi tor animal shelter news animals.

However, RCBJ has independently verified from testimony, documents and photographs that the Hi Tor Animal Care Center in Pomona was in a state of severe neglect and cruelty to animals before the Executive Director took the reins in January. DiBernardo left the board but continues to exert tremendous influence over the shelter, according to multiple sources. When I started, I witnessed neglect, abuse and cruelty to the cats and small animals at the shelter. Ringworm and upper respiratory infections were rampant, cats were not vaccinated, medical records scarcely existed, and the overcrowding was horrific — there were often three cats in cages suitable for one cat. Cats had to stand in soiled litter to eat, drink or get any sunlight or attention. I immediately sought to remedy the problems, reduced the cat population by transfers to other shelters, engaged a veterinarian to bring our vaccinations current and to evaluate and treat sick cats.

Hi tor animal shelter news

The shelter's operator, the Rockland Green board, terminated the two-year contract with the volunteer Hi-Tor board to run the shelter on Thursday, dismissing the executive director, board members, and staff. Rockland Green officials cited multiple contract violations, such as withholding information about a potentially fatal disease infecting cats, failing to care for the animals, and not properly staffing the facility. Martha "Bobby" MacGuffie, known for her humanitarian work. Four Legs Good is part of a Rockland Green program to capture, neuter, and release feral cats. Here are the details. Brett Yagel, the ousted executive director and board member, questioned the legality of Rockland Green's ousting of the Hi-Tor board and voiding the contract. Yagel, the former mayor of Pomona said Rockland Green failed to provide day notice to void the contract. He said the administration moved to correct the problems and the animals were properly cared for. Yagel said he took over as executive director in mid-August. He replaced fired attorney Rick Tannenbaum, hired in January and fired by the board on Sept.

In late August, Hi Tor was visited by representatives of the ASPCA to review the shelter, our procedures, our staffing, facility, and the general running of the shelter under my leadership.

A recent outbreak of feline panleukopenia virus claimed the lives of over 30 cats. Four Legs Good, a nonprofit cat rescue organization — will serve as the new steward of the Shelter. This group functions from the South Mountain Road residence of the late Dr. From Friday morning onwards, the daily operations of the shelter will be managed by Nixie Gueits, the founder of Four Legs Good and a former Hi-Tor board member, alongside Michael Sanducci, who previously served as a director at Hi-Tor. Departing members from the Hi-Tor team have reportedly taken all supplies, leaving the shelter desperately requiring donations. Monetary donations can be made by visiting the Four Legs Good website.

However, RCBJ has independently verified from testimony, documents and photographs that the Hi Tor Animal Care Center in Pomona was in a state of severe neglect and cruelty to animals before the Executive Director took the reins in January. DiBernardo left the board but continues to exert tremendous influence over the shelter, according to multiple sources. When I started, I witnessed neglect, abuse and cruelty to the cats and small animals at the shelter. Ringworm and upper respiratory infections were rampant, cats were not vaccinated, medical records scarcely existed, and the overcrowding was horrific — there were often three cats in cages suitable for one cat. Cats had to stand in soiled litter to eat, drink or get any sunlight or attention. I immediately sought to remedy the problems, reduced the cat population by transfers to other shelters, engaged a veterinarian to bring our vaccinations current and to evaluate and treat sick cats. I established protocols to make certain that the overcrowding and serious health issues did not recur. I shifted staff around and brought in new hires to make sure the problems of the past did not recur. I also realized early on that the problems at the shelter were not related to a lack of funding. They were based on poor management and Board interference.

Hi tor animal shelter news

The shelter's operator, the Rockland Green board, terminated the two-year contract with the volunteer Hi-Tor board to run the shelter on Thursday, dismissing the executive director, board members, and staff. Rockland Green officials cited multiple contract violations, such as withholding information about a potentially fatal disease infecting cats, failing to care for the animals, and not properly staffing the facility. Martha "Bobby" MacGuffie, known for her humanitarian work.

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The Hi-Tor board fired Sanducci in , leading to an exodus of volunteers and an exchange of charges of poorly running the shelter. He said protocols were not followed, including examining and vaccinating cats on intake to lessen the risks of the spreading of the virus into the shelter environment. He said Rockland Green had the ASPCA and Catskill Veterinarian Services investigate and both recommended closing the shelter for two weeks to intaking cats and non-essentially visitors. Departing members from the Hi-Tor team have reportedly taken all supplies, leaving the shelter desperately requiring donations. One Board member immediately resigned upon finding out what Von Hein and Kogut did and indicated that she would not have supported my termination. Martha "Bobby" MacGuffie, known for her humanitarian work. This should be a concern for all parties involved or who care about and are responsible for the care of the stray, surrendered and abandoned animals in Rockland County. There is talk among staff and volunteers that the board members worked behind the scenes and were complicit to hash out this new arrangement, and surrender the shelter, according to more than one source. Tannenbaum wrote an op-ed on the publication criticizing the organization. We were compelled to intake kittens already infected with panleukopenia, and find a way to manage their care in our year old outdated facility where most cat rooms lack running water. Rockland Green has no legal right to terminate this contract.

Tannenbaum stepped into the role on January 1, after leading a long and complicated negotiation with Rockland Green former Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority , which has taken over animal management in the county.

Reach him at slieberm lohud. They were given the necessary funds. However, RCBJ has independently verified from testimony, documents and photographs that the Hi Tor Animal Care Center in Pomona was in a state of severe neglect and cruelty to animals before the Executive Director took the reins in January. When you have a level of love and high expectations regarding care, you have to live up to those expectations. Both parties will be present to argue their case at next week's board meeting. The Rockland Green contract required the shelter to accept animals regardless of their health and physical condition. Skip to content Monday, March 04, Howard Phillips of Rockland Green highlighted that even with vacant positions at the shelter, Hi-Tor was not hiring the needed staff, despite having funds to do so. She filed complaints with the then-board and the County Executive's Office. Earlier in the summer, the shelter had an outbreak of feline panleukopenia and many kittens died shortly after their arrival at the shelter.